The Wife Who Never Existed

Chapter- 5

Theo.

I found myself staring at a woman I didn’t even know.

Ever since she bumped into me in front of the elevator, something felt… off.

As if there was a strange connection between us. Even her scent… it was oddly familiar.

But I forced myself to push her out of my mind.

I didn’t want to betray Nervana. Not after everything she had done for me.

According to my mother, when I got into the accident and fell into a long coma, it was Nervana who stayed by my side the entire time… tireless, unwavering. She never left me.

That’s why, as much as possible, I don’t want to hurt her.

Especially now… that she’s carrying our child.

She was two months pregnant.

Her OB-GYN said the pregnancy is delicate, which means she needs extra care and attention.

I’m a doctor too… I know what’s best for my wife… and for our unborn child.

And yet, here she is again… Ms. Althea.

Apparently, she’s also a journalist. A former friend of Alice and Nervana. Maybe that’s why she feels familiar… Maybe we’ve crossed paths many times before.

But there’s something I can’t ignore… and why do Alice and Nervana react so strangely whenever she’s around?

Like earlier… when Dr. Smith arrived with her. There was fear in their eyes… real fear. I snapped out of my thoughts when Nervana suddenly wrapped her arms around me.

But without meaning to, my gaze drifted back to Ms. Althea. And I caught her… staring at me. Her eyes… slightly red. Like she had been holding back tears.

And then there’s this… something I can’t explain. Whenever Dr. Smith gets too close to her…why does it feel like something inside me aches?

“Babe, the screening for the new applicants is about to start. Come on, we need to watch,” Nervana called.

“Yes, sweetheart,” I replied. “I’ll follow. I just need to stop by the restroom for a bit.”

“Sure. I’ll be in cubicle number three. Come find me there.”

I simply nodded. But before I could turn away, I suddenly felt Nervana’s lips on mine.

She doesn’t usually do that… especially in public. She knows I don’t like that kind of attention. I hate being the subject of other people’s whispers and stares.

That’s why her behavior these past few days has been… different.

Unexpectedly.

When she pulled away, that’s when I noticed Ms. Althea watching us. And once again… I didn’t miss that strange reaction in her eyes.

I chose to walk away, especially when Dr. Smith suddenly appeared beside her. According to Nervana, the two of them were live-in partners.

And yet…

That unsettling feeling wouldn’t leave me.

Especially every time I saw Dr. Smith being close, too close… to Ms. Althea.

I didn’t stay long in the restroom. I stepped out almost immediately, but ended up bumping into someone.

“What the hell? Can’t you see where you’re going?” I snapped.

“Didn’t see you, bro. Sorry,” Lucas replied calmly.

The moment I heard his voice, I straightened. But all I caught was Dr. Smith’s back as the door swung shut.

That bastard.

And I wasn’t about to let it slide. Instead of going back inside, I waited outside the restroom. A few minutes passed before the door finally opened and he stepped out.

“Hey! Are you out of your mind?” I snapped, no longer holding back.

Dr. Smith only looked at me… like he hadn’t heard a word. That was enough to set me off.

I lashed out and kicked him.

“You don’t seem to know who I am, Dr. Smith,” I said coldly.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Lucas replied, pressing the pin on his chest. “Your name echoes through different hospitals.”

“Then why does it feel like you’re doing this on purpose? Or are you just asking for a fight?” I challenged myself.

“Are you sure about that, Dr. Theo?” he asked calmly.

“You heard me. I’m challenging you. You’re way too arrogant,” I shot back.

“Fine,” he said coolly. “If that’s what you want, I’ll indulge you.”

He rolled his sleeves up to his elbows… and let me throw the first punch.

First, he dodged, second, he dodged again and third… still nothing.

I couldn’t land a single hit.

So… he’s a fighter.

“It’s my turn,” Lucas said.

His voice was cold.

I braced myself… but everything happened too fast. Two punches. One kick.

All of them landed.

A curse slipped from my lips as the air was knocked out of me.

“That’s it?” Lucas mocked. “And you had the nerve to challenge me? Be grateful I didn’t aim for your head… you might’ve ended up with your brain splattered on the floor. Picking a fight while you still have a head injury? Were you not thinking?”

I was about to respond when someone called my name.

Moments later, Nervana came rushing toward me… breathless, her eyes filled with fear as they locked onto mine.

“Babe! What happened to you?” Nervana cried out as she rushed to help me up.

“It’s nothing… Dr. Smith and I just had a misunderstanding,” I replied, clenching my fists.

“Have that arrogant man removed from every hospital,” she snapped. “With your connections, no one will take him in.”

“I’ll handle it,” I said firmly. “By the way… what happened to the applicants? How many did Al Global Network accept?”

“Only two,” Nervana answered, forcing a smile.

“Who?”

“Althea… and Ms. Rosebell.”

“So starting now, you’ll be working with Ms. Althea?”

“Something like that. But I’m sure she’ll be on the night shift. Of course, I won’t allow us to work the same hours.”

I glanced around.

“Why are you alone? Where’s your friend, Ms. Alice?”

“She’s still there. I just told her I’d go to the ladies’ room. Then I saw that doctor hurting you. It’s better if I took you to the hospital before you head home,” Nervana said.

“Why? Where are you going?”

“I’m going out with Alice and the group,” she answered quickly. “You’re not allowed to drink or even be around smoke right now.”

I frowned slightly.

“Why does it feel like you’ve been going out more often lately? Did you forget you’re pregnant?”

“Oh… uh… we’re not going to a bar,” she said with a smile. “We’re just going out to eat. You don’t have anything to worry about, Babe.”

I wanted to say more. But I already knew… she wouldn’t listen anyway.

So instead… I stayed silent.

On the drive home, Nervana sat in silence. Too quiet and it wasn’t like her.

I glanced at her more than once, searching for something, anything… that could explain the sudden shift. But she kept her gaze forward, distant… unreadable.

And that’s what unsettled me the most.

Why now?

Why is it like this?

I clenched my jaw.

I didn’t want to doubt her. Not after everything she’s done for me. Not after everything we’ve been through.

But no matter how hard I tried to silence it… that small, persistent voice in my mind wouldn’t stop whispering.

Something wasn’t right.